‘SWERFGOED’ RETURNS

FOLLOWING its success at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) earlier this year, Bauke Snyman’s Swerfgoed, performed in Afrikaans and directed by Tinarie van Wyk Loots, returns to the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio stage, from September 5-22 at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 3pm.

It is a year after the play was selected (out of 15 finalists) for development at the 2017 Teksmark (Text Market) at the Baxter. It premiered at the 2018 KKNK where it won three Kanna Awards for best debut text (Snyman), best supporting actress (Nicole Holm) and best supporting actor (Richard September).

Van Wyk Loots makes her directorial debut with a dynamic cast (most who play multiple characters), led by Anna-Mart van der Merwe and Andrew Laubscher alongside Holm and September.

Swerfgoed takes a dystopian view of heritage and sacrifice of Greek proportions, but comedy often lurks in tragedy’s shadow. Somewhere in the immediate future, water is the most expensive and precious resource, and people would kill to get it. On an isolated stretch of land, at the Motel Stillewater (Still Water), an ancient treasure is locked away. The peculiar (and funny) bunch of inhabitants who live here will not allow anyone to intrude and still waters run deep. As it is becomes even scarcer and survival is threatened, people will do anything to get their hands on it, even commit murder.

Ticket prices range from R80 to R130. There is an early special of R100 for bookings made before September 5.

Booking is through Webtickets, online at www.webtickets.co.za, or at selected Pick n Pay stores.